Investigative Pursuit for Identifying Unlawful Residential Buildings
Portugal Launches Nationwide Survey to Address Illegal Housing
In a bid to tackle the growing issue of illegal and precarious housing, Portugal's Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, has called for an urgent nationwide survey. This survey, which has already begun, will be carried out jointly by local councils, the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU), and the central government.
The call for the survey came in response to the recent demolition of shacks in Loures, where 64 illegal structures were dismantled, displacing 161 people. A legal challenge by residents partially halted the operation, highlighting the urgency of finding a long-term solution to this issue.
The survey aims to identify informal settlements and shanty towns across Portugal, with a particular focus on mapping these precarious housing situations promptly to facilitate targeted interventions. This action is part of a larger commitment from the Portuguese government to reform and invest heavily in public and affordable housing.
Under the Construir Portugal plan, the government has been working towards boosting housing supply, promoting public housing, simplifying legislation, and improving housing accessibility since 2024. Local authorities are partners alongside central government in this comprehensive approach to mitigating the housing crisis in Portugal.
The minister emphasized the need for increased public and private housing supply, as well as the need for reform in incentive systems to create positive change in the market. He also ruled out rent controls or strict market interventions, preferring regulation to ensure fairness.
In addition to the survey, a total of 133,000 homes identified in local housing strategies will also receive support. The initial plan for 26,000 homes has been exceeded, and all other projects will receive funding. In Amadora, demolition is planned for all 22 remaining illegal dwellings in the former Santa Filomena area, home to around 30 adults and 14 children.
The minister's call for the survey was made during the inauguration of 16 affordable homes in Anadia. He stressed the immediacy of the issue, citing recent events in Loures as evidence. Pinto Luz acknowledged that change will not be immediate, requiring time for resolution. However, he emphasized the need for coordination between all parties involved to address this pressing issue effectively.
This joint role underscores the multi-level governance needed to tackle illegal and precarious housing issues effectively in Portugal. The minister's speech on the issue was delivered on 18 July.
- To address the housing crisis, the Portuguese government, in collaboration with local councils and the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU), has initiated a nationwide survey, focusing on identifying informal settlements and shanty towns across Portugal.
- In an effort to reform public and affordable housing, the Portuguese government is investing heavily, as part of the Construir Portugal plan, to boost housing supply, promote public housing, simplify legislation, and improve housing accessibility.
- The Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, has emphasized the importance of increasing both public and private housing supply, with a focus on regulation to ensure fairness in the market, rather than imposing rent controls or strict market interventions.
